Posted on 03/15/2007 12:41:53 PM PDT by Sterm26
The "flying imams' " federal lawsuit, filed this week in Minneapolis, has made headlines around the country. The imams are demanding unspecified damages from US Airways and the Metropolitan Airports Commission, both with deep pockets. But their suit includes other defendants, as yet unnamed. These people, unaffiliated with the airline industry or government, are among the imams' most vulnerable targets.
Recall the November 2006 incident that gave rise to the suit. The imams engaged in a variety of suspicious behaviors while boarding a US Airways flight, according to the airport police report. Some prayed loudly in the gate area, spoke angrily about the United States and Saddam, switched seats and sat in the 9/11 hijackers' configuration, and unnecessarily requested seatbelt extenders that could be used as weapons, according to witness reports and US Airways spokeswoman Andrea Rader.
After extensive consultations, the pilot asked authorities to remove the imams for questioning, which they did, releasing them later that day.
"The pilot did what he had to do," passenger Rita Snelson of Maplewood told the Star Tribune. "I told the airline afterward, 'Thank you for watching over us.' "
The imams' lawsuit, however, asserts that US Airways and the MAC acted solely out of religious and ethnic discrimination. It includes 17 separate counts.
It also rehearses a catalogue of harms allegedly suffered by the imams, including fear, depression, mental pain and financial injury. They have not only endured exhaustion, humiliation and ridicule, but also have lost sleep and developed anxiety about flying.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
And they are terrified for their lives. The gentleman who passed the note to the Flight Attendant was on our local news a couple of weeks ago--in silhouette. He would only speak in anonymity. He was the one who heard them speaking in Arabic and knew what they were saying.
This lawsuit has me steamed. They are basically "threatening" these passengers. They want to find out who they are and terrorize them. I really believe that. This is a blatant attempt to scare citizens from being vigilant. If you do, we will sue you.
If this goes to court, please let me get my very first jury summons!
Watching Geraldo and Alan Combes defending these guys was making me ill last night.
LOL Can you just imagine what these two losers would do if they were passengers who witniessed the same thing? They would be freaking out, demanding better security measures!
How we can allow this trash to remain in the country is a mystery to me
Ask our POTUS (for whom I voted, of course) who just let in another 40,000 Saudi students on 'student visas' better known as 'Terrorists, y'all come'
It applies across the board. In 1914, the French were considered a fairly militant people. Not in 1920; not after the bloodletting of Verdun gave them their fill. In 1939, the Germans were considered fairly militant. Not in 1950; not after Stalingrad. Not after US and British airpower bombed their cities into rubble.
You want to stop these madmen? Kill them. Bomb their mudhuts into piles of disassociated dirt. Ruin them.
As Philip Sheridan said to the German General Staff in 1869:
"Leave them only thier eyes, with which to lament the war!"
Sure, it's a little harsh. But history proves it's effective.
It would be an outrage if the courts were to allow the legal system to become a means of intimidating citizens - of whatever national or ethnic background. Such would seem to be the objective of this case. It should be summarily dismissed as such, and in addition dismissed as a frivolous lawsuit with no evidenciary standing. How can you sue someone for 'looking' at you or moving to another location to talk on a cell phone and expect these actions were intentionally discriminatory. Couldn't the defendants in this lawsuit initiate a countersuit immediately on the grounds of intimidation and harassment? Shame on the courts.
I really doubt that the passengers are being sought out in order to be sued
I couldn't disagree with you more strongly. These passengers will have their names listed in official court documents, they will be harrassed mercilessly, they will be questioned and re-questioned countless times by relentless attorneys, they will have to hire attorneys to respond to complaints, motions, and assist them in depositions.
These innocent folks may end up bankrupted because of legal fees without it ever getting to the point of charges being filed or a trial taking place. Worse, their names will be in the papers and they will receive threats from Muslims. Their life is about to become hell on earth, all because they tried to protect themselves.
Sorry. There's a skip in there ...
Agreed.
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Neil Cavuto just read an e-mail I sent him. I suggested that the passengers and crew sue the Imams for the inconvenience and terror that THEY caused.
On this subject, search for the keyword: flyingimams.
;-)
As I have been on this since this story first broke, I've been toying with the idea of a "Flyin' Imams" ping list. If there is enough interest, I'll be more than happy to do it.
FReepmail me if you are interested.
Bush is the best Democrat president that the Republicans produced.
Thanks for the ping, Steve. I saw this today on the Red Star Tribune's website and it made my blood boil. Kersten is right on the nose with this.
Geraldo would be shouting, "Do you know who I am?"
Alan would be in the fetal position saying "Save me Bill Clinton, Save me Bill Clinton!" over and over again
Really? Not more strongly? Even if you tried really, really hard?
I don't mind your disagreeing with me. Heck, I could be wrong. But, really, you are going to reserve your strongest disagreement for this?
LOL Good one!
(all due apologies to Lerner & Lowe, of course)
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